The Weekly Politics: Mar 8 to 12

Respect's Salma Yaqoob came within a few thousand votes from toppling a Labour MP in Birmingham in 2005. Boundary changes have made things a bit more complicated this time round - but the other parties do seem a little nervous. Adam Fleming reports from Birmingham Hall Green.

The Daily Politics' analysis of PMQs as Jo Coburn and Andrew Neil talk to BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson, Labour's Jacqui Smith and former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith. Later, they talk about the Budget date, which has just been confirmed - and the election date which is widely expected to be 6 May.

On the eve of World Kidney Day, Adrian Mole Author Sue Townsend - who underwent a kidney transplant operation last year - is appealing for people to come forward as altruistic donors. This is when a healthy person offers a kidney anonymously. Last year 15 such donors were approved.

Thousands of civil servants have begun a 48 hour strike which will affect places like courts, job centres, benefit offices and emergency call centres. Jo Coburn explains the background before, Nick McCarthy from the Public and Commercial Services Union, Miles Templeman from the Institute of Directors and former Employment Minister Tony McNulty give their views.

The Observer's Andrew Rawnsley and Tony McNulty MP discuss the political classes after watching Danny Finkelstein's film. They end by talking about some of the allegations about Gordon Brown in Mr Rawnsley's recently-published book.